ABSTRACT

Geometry for the Artist is based on a course of the same name which started in the 1980s at Maharishi International University. It is aimed both at artists willing to dive deeper into geometry and at mathematicians open to learning about applications of mathematics in art. The book includes topics such as perspective, symmetry, topology, fractals, curves, surfaces, and more. A key part of the book’s approach is the analysis of art from a geometric point of view—looking at examples of how artists use each new topic. In addition, exercises encourage students to experiment in their own work with the new ideas presented in each chapter.

This book is an exceptional resource for students in a general-education mathematics course or teacher-education geometry course, and since many assignments involve writing about art, this text is ideal for a writing-intensive course. Moreover, this book will be enjoyed by anyone with an interest in connections between mathematics and art.

Features

  • Abundant examples of artwork displayed in full color
  • Suitable as a textbook for a general-education mathematics course or teacher-education geometry course
  • Designed to be enjoyed by both artists and mathematicians

part I|8 pages

Introduction

chapter Chapter 1|6 pages

Introduction

part II|64 pages

Symmetry

chapter Chapter 2|4 pages

Symmetry

chapter Chapter 3|16 pages

Finite Designs

chapter Chapter 4|12 pages

Band Ornaments

chapter Chapter 5|8 pages

The Regular Tilings

chapter Chapter 6|14 pages

Tilings

chapter Chapter 7|8 pages

Symmetry in the Work of MC Escher

part III|56 pages

Perspective

chapter Chapter 8|16 pages

Introduction to Linear Perspective

chapter Chapter 9|8 pages

Drawing Grids in Perspective

chapter Chapter 10|10 pages

The Conic Sections

chapter Chapter 11|10 pages

Two-Point and Three-Point Perspective

chapter Chapter 12|10 pages

Perspective in the Work of MC Escher

part IV|44 pages

Fractals

chapter Chapter 13|14 pages

Proportion and Similarity

chapter Chapter 14|10 pages

Fractals

chapter Chapter 15|10 pages

Dynamical Systems and Chaos

chapter Chapter 16|8 pages

The Mandelbrot Set

part V|50 pages

Curves, Spaces, and Geometries

chapter Chapter 17|12 pages

Lines and Curves

chapter Chapter 18|8 pages

Surfaces

chapter Chapter 19|6 pages

Euclidean and Non-Euclidean Geometries

chapter Chapter 20|12 pages

Topology

chapter Chapter 21|10 pages

Pictorial Composition